The Pentagon confirmed on Friday it mistook a civilian vehicle for an ISIS-K threat when it launched a drone strike on Aug. 29 in Kabul that killed 10 civilians, including 7 children.
“I am now convinced that as many as 10 civilians, including up to seven children were tragically killed in that strike,” U.S. Central Command head Gen. Frank McKenzie told reports at the Pentagon.
“Moreover, we analyzed that it is unlikely that the vehicle and those who died were associated with ISIS-K or were a direct threat to US forces," McKenzie added.
https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1438946053441601540
"This strike was taken in the earnest belief that it would prevent an imminent threat to our forces and the evacuees at the airport," he noted. "But it was a mistake and I offer my sincere apology."
McKenzie also offered his "profound condolences to the family and friends of those who were killed," claiming full responsibility for "this tragic outcome."
For days after the strike, Pentagon officials had insisted that it had been conducted directly, despite reports that the driver of the targeted car was a long-time employee at an American humanitarian organisation.
The strike followed ISIS-K's suicide bombing at Kabul airport, which killed 169 Afghan civilians and 13 US soldiers.
Follow the latest news on Google News
